Leadership & AI: Evolving Skills for Tech Leaders | CIO

Keith Fulton, chief data officer at Jack Henry, argued that the skills needed to lead artificial intelligence transformation differ significantly from those that typically propel technologists into leadership roles. Fulton presented his views at a CIO Leadership Live event on March 5, 2026, outlining a shift in mindset required for effective leadership in an era of rapid technological change.

Fulton’s perspective, detailed in his recently published book, “Maxing Out: How to Get the Most out of Yourself and Your Team,” released in October 2024, challenges the conventional wisdom that deep technical expertise is sufficient for enterprise leadership. He contends that success in driving AI adoption at scale demands proficiency in areas such as budgeting, organizational design, and cross-functional collaboration. He also emphasized the importance of communicating complex changes to both executive peers and boards of directors.

According to Fulton, technology leaders must transition from a focus on control to one of enablement. He believes that successful leaders in rapidly changing organizations foster environments where employees understand the impact of their function, are trusted to execute, and demonstrate the self-discipline necessary for sustained performance. This approach, he suggested, is crucial for navigating the complexities of AI implementation.

Fulton, who assumed his role at Jack Henry in December 2024 after serving as Senior Vice President of Digital Technology at Equifax, previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Account Processing and Fintech Division at Fiserv from 2017 to 2023. He also served as Chief Technology Officer at ADP. His experience across these organizations informs his argument for a more holistic leadership approach.

The emphasis on work-life balance was also central to Fulton’s message. He asserted that leaders must prioritize their own well-being to maintain dependability and effectiveness within their organizations. This point was highlighted in a LinkedIn post discussing Fulton’s approach, which described Jack Henry’s strategy as “responsibly bold and balanced.”

Jack Henry is implementing AI tools with controls allowing customers to manage their consumption of AI capabilities, a strategy Fulton is spearheading. The company, a leading SaaS provider of technology solutions for the financial services industry with $2.4 billion in annual revenue, is attempting to balance innovation with granular controls for its financial services customers.

Fulton’s book is gaining attention within CIO and IT leadership circles, as evidenced by his speaking engagement at the Foundry event. He is scheduled to share “hard-won advice” based on his career trajectory, according to event organizers.